Check-receiving and sales-indicating machine.



J. F. LYNCH. (max RECEIVING AND SALES INDIGATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED EBPT.8,1908.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

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v J. P. LYNCH. CHECK RECEIVING AND SALES INDIGATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION TILED SEPT. 8,1908.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

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UNFFED STATES PATENT @FFEQE.

HURLEY, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHE CK-RE CEIVING AND SALES-INDIOATING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

Application filed September 8, 1908. Serial No. 452,05.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JAMES F. LYNCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (hecklleceiving and Sales-Indicating Machines; and I do herehy declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to a check receiving and sale indicating receptacle and it has for its object to provide in compact form acase or cabinet containing a cash. drawer or receptacle and check receptacle to receive one at a time the circular disks or checks now so commonly used by barber-s and soda dispensers, so constructed and arranged that one or more of the last checks inserted will be exposed to view, thus indieating the amount of one or more of the lost sales made, so constructed and arranged that the cash receptacle can be opened only by the advance movement of the checks as they are inserted and progressively ad vanced along their race-way or passage.

Further obiects of the invention will appear in connection with the description of its construction and mode of operation.

The invention, therefore, consists of the devices and combinations of devices which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

lhe present invention is shown in the accompanying orawings, in which Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the device. Fig. 2 shows a top plan view with. the cash drawer open. 3 shows a sectional view taken on the dotted line a*.r, Fig. 1 Fig. shows a rear view of the raceway for the checks with the been plate removed and also showing the mechanism for operating the cash drawer release. Fig. 5 shows a top plan view of the check raceway and the operating mechanism removed from the machine. F 6 shows a back view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows in. a longitudinal sectional view the safety detent for preventing the irregular advance of the line of checks. Fig. 8 shows a detail of the alarm mechanism which indicates the operation of the check advancing mechanism.

Similar reference characters will be employed throughout the specification and drawings to designate corresponding parts.

The device comprises a case 1 having a bottom 2 and intermediate partition 3, and a top i, the whole being substantially rectangular in shape and constructed of anysuitable material, either wood or metal. The top 4 will be preferably hinged at so that it may be raised to remove the checks from the check receptacle when desired, d it may be held seehrely fastened by any suitable fastening means, such as the hasp and bail 6 and the lock 7, all clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. At the front of the case and between the sides 8 and 9 there extends a cross bar 10, the forward edge of the partition resting upon the cross bar 10, as clearly shown in Fig. The construction thus far described forms two chambers or 'eccsses l1 and 12, the chamber 11 receiving the cash drawer 1 3 and the chamber 12 adapted to receive the checks as they are'progressively inserted and advanced along and dischaged from their raceway. The cash drawer 1.3 may he of any usual or preterred construction, and it is arranged to slide between the sides 8 and 9 and the cross bar d the bottom 2, and if desired it may be p 'ovided with the longitudinal ribs 14 arranged to take into grooves 15 formed upon the inner surface of the sides 8 and 9.

To normally hold the cash drawer loelted, it is provided with a leveled holt 16, arranged in a vertical recess 17 in the front 18 of the drawer, which bolt 16 is normally held elevated ii} a spring 19 contained in the recess 1", the beveled end of the nolt rang ing; a locking recess in the under side of the cross ar 10. (See 1, 3 and i.) When the drawer is pushed in, the locking holt 16 engaging the recess 20 will hold the drawer locked and as will he hereinafter descrii'ed it cannot lie unlocked until a disk or check is introduced and the line of checks advanced, which advancement of the line of checks will, through the mechanism to he hereinafter descrilted, release the holt 16 and permit the coiled spring 21 fastened at the lack of the chamber 11 and tearing against the back of the cash drawer 13, to project or partially open the drawer, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The front of the drawer will be preferably provided with a suitahle hand- JAMES F. LYNCH, OF SWAMPSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS hold or knob 22. It will he understood that the cash drawer may have any suitable form of'partitions or cash receptacles.

The check receiving chamher 12 is closed at the front by a plate, 23, preferably formed of metal and said plate vdll he provided with an opening 24 of a length to expose one or more of the circular or other shaped disks or checks, that shown in the drawing being constructed of a size to expose four such checks, as clearly indicated in the drawing. The opening 24 in the plate 23 will he covered by a transparent panel 25, which may he made of any suitable transparent material, preferably glass, so as to expose the checks remaining in the race-way. A hack plate 26, also formed of metal, is firmly secured to the plate 23 or to the longitudinal guides 27, connected to the plate 23, thus forming a passage or race-way 28 of a height corresponding approximately to the diameter of the checks and of a vaddth corresponding approximately to the thickness of the checks, so that the checks will be caused to pass along the race-way 28 in a single line. To advance the line of checks along their race-way 28 there is provided a slide 29 arranged to slide hetween the guide 27 and a similar guide 30 attached to the hack of the plate 23, and the slide 29 is provided with a knob or handle 31, the shank of which passes through a slot 32 formed in the plate 23, and connected to the slide 29. The slot 32 is of a length to permit suilicient movement of the slide to advance a distance corresponding to the diameter of a single check. Thus, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, should another check be inserted l: etween the forward curved edge 33 of the slide and the next adjacent check, the advancement of the slide toward the right would, through the intervention of the inserted check, cause an advance movement of the line of checks, so as to eject from the race-way the check at the extreme right of the line of checks, and cause the inserted check to he moved to the position of the check at the extreme left of the line of checks, as shown at Fig. 4. Thus, it will he seen that at each reciprocation of the slide 29, the line of checks will he advanced a distance corresponding to the diameter of a single check. The slide 29, it will be understood, is moved to advance the line of checks by the operator grasping the knob 31 and pushing it toward the left, as shown in Fig. 1, but it is retracted by means of the coiled spring 34 one end of which is fastened to a hook at 35 and the opposite end to a rack bar 36, the rack bar hcing arranged to slide along a suitable guide way 37 and engaging a pair of pinions 38 mounted upon screws 39 connected to the hack plate 26. The pinions 38 also mesh with a rack har 40 arranged to slide along a suitable guide 41 attached to the h ack plate 26 and connected to the shank 42 of the knob 31. Theforegoing arrangement is such that when the knob 31 and its connected slide 29 are moved toward the right, as shown in Fig. 6, it also advances toward the right the rack har 40, which revolves the pinions 38, causing the rack tar 36 to he moved in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the rack bar 40, thus drawing upon the spring 34 which, when the knob 31 is released, will cause a reverse operation of the rack har 36, the pinions 38 and rack har 40 to return the slide 29 to its original or starting position, as shown in Fig. 4. A chute 42 is provided which leads through an opening 43, whereby single check may he dropped into the receptacle and by gravity fall into the space between the forward edge 33 of the slide 29 anr. the next adjacent check in the line of checks.

Fitted in a vertical hearing 44 formed in the cross oar 10 is a plunger 45, the lower end of which is arran ed to en a e and rest noon 23 z: b l

the locking bolt 16 of the cash drawer and this plunger 45 is normally held elevated by a light spring 46, engaging a collar 47 on the elunger 45. The upper end of the plunger has a post 48 which passes through an opening 49 in the guide 27 and engages a light flat spring 50 fastened to the upper edge of the guide 27 and which projects into the path of movement of the checks, so that when the checks are advanced along their passage or race-way 28 they will as they pass over the spring 50 depress the plunger 45 against the tension of its spring 46 and cause said plunger to depress the locking bolt 16, whereupon the cash drawer will be projected by the spring 21, as shown in 3 of the drawing.

It will be observed that no means are shown for releasing the cash drawer except through the instrumentality of the advancing checks projected along the race-way hy the slide 29, and that said slide 29 will be ineffective unless a check is interposed b tween the slide and the next adjacent check in the race-way, so that no amount of movement of the slide without the interposed check will cause any operation or any movement either of the checks which have been inserted in the race-way or the locking mechanism of the cash drawer. So that if for any purpose access is desired to the cash drawer it can only he secured by the insertion of a check representing a sale, or by a blank check, if such should be provided.

The checks generally bear upon their sides figures denoting their value or the amount of sales, and therefore the amount of the latest sale or several of the later sales can be determined by an inspection of the line of checks exposed to view through the transparent panel, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. So that the purchaser or customer and the owner of the shop whenever i the cash drawer is released and the mechanism operated, will be able to determine by looking at the last check inserted (which is the one at the right of the line in Fig. 1) the amount of the purchase.

it is of course important that the checks cannot be advanced in an irree'ular manner, as by the insertion of a hooked wire or other implement, and to insure against this irregular advancement of the line of checks there is provided a pawl or detent 51 made of spring; metal and fastened 52 to the back of the plate 26 and provided at its forward end with a point or projection 53, which passes through an aperture 54 in the back plate 26, and projects some distance into the passage or race-way 28, as shown in Figs. l, 6 and 7 oi the drawine. This detent 53 is interposed between the last check advanced and the next adjacent check and ell'ectually prevents the advancement of the line or checks by engaging; the last check advanced so that they cannot je advanced until the detent is retracted. To retract the detent it is provided with a projecting finger 55 along its lower edge, which is arranged to be engaged by the forward end of a bar 56 lastoned at 57 to a plate carrying the rack bar 40, and in'ojectiiig in advance or the rack bar and normally in close juxtaposition to the linger 55, so that at the first movement of the slide 29 the bar 56 will pass under the linger to retract the detent 53 to permit the line o'l checks to pass and upon the retraction the slide 29 by means of the spring; .iechanism which has been described, the sping (lrent 53 will automatically assume the position shown in Fig. 7.

it being; understood from the foregoing that no advance movement ol' the checks can take place until a check is inserted between the slide 129 and the last check which was advanceu is essential that when once an ad Vance movement oi the checks is started, the sli' co the extent allowed by the length of the slot 32, in order that the last check inserted may be advanced to the position shown by the check marked 40, in 1, and the check the extreme left ejected m tne passage or raceway 28 into the reel; receptacle 1?, and to secure this rethere is prov consist d a safety device ing cl lever 561 pivoted at 571 to the plate carryin the bar 40, and carrying at its forward end a pawl 58, which pawl is norn ally held in eng cement with the ratchet teeth 59 ol a plate by means of a light sprin 51. Thus as the slice is advance l arm 50 by means oi the spring 61, will be thrown down to engage the teeth ol' the plate 60, and thus when started in its van-cc movement, unless the slide is moved to the hill extent it cannot be retracted to its starting position, for the pawl 58 engaging the teeth 59 eliectually prevents such rctraciive movement Hoi'vevcr, when moved to the lull extent in the direction to advance the checks, the arm 56 will be elevated by means ol the inclined forward end of the plate so, and passing oil ol' the plate 60 will pret nted l'rom a 'ain enf gaging said plate by means ol the spring pawl 63, which, as soon as the end of the arm 56 carrying the 58 passes beyond and oil ol' the beveled end 62 of the plate 60, drops down to the position shown in Fig-g. and causes the end of the arm to pass over the upper surl'ace ol 1 ad 63, in order to resume its normal position. that when once the advance iovenient oi the Sl'izlG is started, said slide will not be permitted to resume its starting position until the arm 56 with its pawl has 'iassed beyond the plate Gt) and retracted above the pawl 63, at wh ch time the spring (51 will cause the arm 56 to drop to the position shown in ii 6, in position [or another operation.

It is desirable that every operation ol the slide and cash. drawe shall be indicated by a suitable signal and or this purpose I have provided a gongor bell 64, fastened to partition 65 located in the c reek receptacle 12 and adjacent to and parallel to the plate 23, the said partition, as shown in Fig. 2, being somewhat short r than the instance across the receptacle, whereby the checks as they are ted l'roni the race-way may be thrown bash oi' the partition, as will be herein-alter d cscribei l.

The gone is sounded l y a hammer carried by one arm, (3?, ol' a bell eranh lever. pivoted at to a stand (39. 'lhc other mm, 70, ol' the bell eranl: lever projects vert ally and in position to be engaged by a linger 71 carrie by the arm 55, so that as the arm is advanced by the advancement the slide, the En er 71 the arm of the bell crank lever, rocking; it about its pivot 68, thus raising the hammer 66, so that when the linger '71 passes off and releases the arm 70 of the bell crank lever, the hammer 66 will be permitted to drop by its own weight under the force of gravity and strike the gong 64, a single blow, thus warning and signaling to the purchaser or owner ol the shop that the apparatus has been operated and the cash drawer release l and openedv in order to prevent the line oi checks from being advanced along the race-way improperly, as by liftingthe ap aratus and tipping;- it in the attempt to slide the checks from the race-way or passi e 28, the rear or inner end of the passage will be provided with a spring detent 72 fastened to the back plate 26, and arranged to on the last check in the line A lel't, as shown in Fig. 1, .1, cut in the plate 26, and [or the purpose of insuring the ejecting ol' the last check in the direction to cause it to pass back of the partition 65 and into the check receptacle 115, a curved deflecting plate '74 is provided (as shown clearly in Figs. 2, 5 and 6 of the drawing) the arrangement being such that as the last check is forced from beneath the spring detent 72, the deflecting plate 74 will cause it to be snapped backward into the check receptacle 12.

The casing of the apparatus may be ornamented in any suitable manner, as by providing the top with the posts 7 5 and the bars 76, having a rail about the top and also an ornamental cap plate 77 may be provided upon which may be placed the name of the owner of the shop or any suitable inscription, as the words, Amount of sale, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

It is of course obvious that instead of the apparatus being arranged to retain four checks at all times in the race-way or passage 28, it may be arranged so that but a single check will remain and be exposed therein, or on the other hand, it may be so constructed that any given number of checks correspond ing to the number of clerks or salesmen or barbers, (if the device he used in a barber shop) be retained in the race-way or passage and exposed to view, in which event the checks could be of different colors, each salesman having a distinctive color of check and in that event it could be always asce" tained just what salesman or barber had caused the last operation of the apparatus, and in like manner, to the extent of the number of checks exposed, who and when, with relation to the times of operation corresponding to the number of checks exposed, any given. salesman or barber had caused the operation of the apparatus.

It is thought that the mode of operation. of the device has been suficiently described in connection with the foregoing description of its construction and arrangement and that a further description of its operation will be unnecessary.

Having described my invention I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a check receiving and sales indicating apparatus, in combination, a frame or casing, a raceway for the checks extending horizontally in said frame or casing and comprising a transparent front panel and a back plate spaced apart a distance substantially the thickness of the checks, a slide located in said raceway and arranged to engage and move the line of checks along said raceway to discharge the end check at the opposite in presence of two witnesses.

end of said raceway, slot in said casing extending horizontally therein and a knob or handle having a shank passing through said slot and connected directly to said slide, said slot being of a length substantially the diameter of a single check, substantially as described.

2. In a check receiving and sales indicatin apparatus, in combination, a raceway comprising a front plate and a back plate, a slide for engaging and moving the checks along said raceway in peripheral contact with each other, a spring detent mounted upon the back plate and normally projected within the path of movement of the line of checks and means carried by the slide for withdrawing said detent as said slide is moved to advance the checks, substantailly as described.

3. In a check receiving and sales indicating apparatus, in combination, a raceway for the checks extending horizontally comprising a front plate and a back plate, a slide in said raceway fitting the space between the front and back plate, a slot in the front plate and an operating handle or knob connected directly to the slide and passing through said slot, a slot in the back plate and means connected to the slide through said slot to return said slide to its starting position, a pivoted pawl connected to said slide arranged to engage a notched ratchet plate mounted upon the back plate and a detent mounted upon the back plate and projected through an opening therein into the raceway and means connected with the slide for withdrawing said detent, substantially as described.

4. In a check receiving and sales indicating apparatus, in combination, a check receptacle, a race-way arranged to receive and guide the checks, a slide for advancing the checks along the race-way, means for operating said slide, a detent projected into the race-way across the path of movement of the checks, and means carried by said slide for retracting said dctent as said slide is moved to advance the checks along the race-way, substantially as described.

5. In a check receiving and sales indicating ap )aratus, in combination, a check receptacie, a race-way for receiving the checks, a transparent panel for said race-way, whereby the checks are exposed to view in said race-way, a slide for advancing the checks along the race-way, means limiting the movement of said slide to a distance corresponding to the diameter of a single check, a pivoted lever connected to said slide, and provided at its outer free end with a pawl, a fixed ratchet plate arranged to be engaged by the pawl and a deflecting guide and safety latch arranged to prevent said )awl from engaging the ratchet plate after 1t has completed a maximum advance movement and during its return movement, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I afhx my sign ature,

JAMES F. LYN OH. Witnesses T. HART ANDERSON, MARY A. KENNEY. 

